PAWTUCKET, RI – Rhode Island FC continues to gain momentum as they move closer to the start of the 2024 USL Championship season. Head Coach and General Manager Khano Smith announced today that Karl Spratt has joined the team’s technical staff as Assistant Coach and Director of Goalkeeping. Spratt joins Coach Smith, Assistant Coach Dave McKay, Assistant General Manager Sean Carey, and Head of Team Administration Jason Gove on the club’s technical staff.
Prior to joining Rhode Island FC, Spratt was the Assistant Coach for Philadelphia Union II and Head of Goalkeeping for the Philadelphia Union Academy, part of the Philadelphia Union club that appeared in the MLS Cup Finals last year. In this role, Spratt was directly responsible for micro and macro planning, strategy, and implementation of all Union II and Academy Goalkeeper development plans.
“Karl’s expertise and dedication to Player Development will play a key role in creating an environment where our goalkeepers and the complete roster feel supported and driven to challenge themselves on and off the field,” said Coach Khano Smith. “For a significant portion of his career, Karl has dedicated himself to improving soccer in Rhode Island, and I am grateful to have him be a part of creating a team for all Rhode Island. From youth teams to college teams to professional clubs, Karl has proven time and time again that he is a coach ready and willing to support his players as they continue to develop, improve, and grow in confidence.”
Spratt spent eight seasons in Providence as an Assistant Coach of Providence College Men’s Soccer. He also worked with New England Revolution’s Youth Teams, first as Youth Teams Goalkeeper Coach and then as Director of Goalkeeping.
Spratt comes to Rhode Island FC with a number of prestigious coaching qualifications, including the United States Soccer Federation A License.
“I am honored to be joining Rhode Island FC. The Ocean State is a special place and I am incredibly excited to help bring the sport I love at the professional level to a state my family and I have called home for many years. I am ready to put in the hard work to help build a team that all Rhode Island can be proud of,” said Karl Spratt, Assistant Coach and Director of Goalkeeping.
Spratt attended the University of Sunderland in the United Kingdom and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Development.
About Rhode Island FC
Rhode Island FC, a club for all Rhode Island, is independently owned and operated and is the only homegrown men’s professional team in the state. It is led by co-founders Brett Johnson and former MLS and USMNT player Michael Parkhurst, a Rhode Island native. The club will begin play in March 2024 in its temporary venue, Beirne Stadium on the campus of Bryant University, while its permanent home stadium is completed for the 2025 season. The Stadium at Tidewater Landing in downtown Pawtucket will be a state-of-the-art stadium with a 10,000+ capacity. More information at www.rhodeislandfc.com.
